The first of my catch-up posts and a lot of thank you's.

I've had a lot of lovely things through my post box recently... I've bought a couple of things and I've also been really really fortunate to win more than one giveaway in the last couple of weeks. I've never been a particularly lucky person but it seems that I've had luck on my side recently! :-)

I've never had anywhere proper to store my crochet hooks, I've just always chucked them all in a jam jar up until now and it's such a pain trying to find the right size hook when you need it. So when I saw that Messy Jesse had added this beautiful crochet hook cozy to her shop, I just Had to get it. It's perfectly stitched and the Cath Kidston fabric is just gorgeous.

Not only did I receive the crochet hook cozy, she also included some extra pieces of pretty fabric which I was happily surprised to get..! :-) Thank you! xx

Heather over at Pink Milk won my giveaway the other week and even though she really didn't need to, she sent me a little thank you gift which was a beautifully smelling scented candle. Thank you Heather xx

I was so lucky to win this beautiful pair of earrings in a giveaway over at Scented Sweetpea's. They are tiny silver hearts from Becky at Red Bird Jewellery and are just perfect because I struggle to wear dangly earrings these day's with Rose's little hands grabbing anything and everything in sight! Thank you to both of you :-) xx

I was also really fortunate to win the giveaway over at Rosie Hearts, I've won a machine embroidered glasses case and will show you some pictures when I receive it. Thank you Rosie xx

Giveaway Winner!! and a few other things...!

We've had a couple of strangely warm day's recently in this part of the world, so we've been venturing out into the garden a lot more often these day's. Although it wouldn't be possible for me to actually Do any gardening out there, as Rose is just determined to try and eat as many things as possible from out there! 

When does it get to the stage that they can play happily outside without eating all the earth from the flower beds!?

There are a few signs that spring is on it's way, it's so exciting to look out the french doors and see that the crocuses have flowered. It's been really boring and dull out there for sooo many months now!

Rose and I had a lovely morning at one of the playgroups we go to this morning, it's a bit of a walk to this one in particular but feels good to give my legs a good stretch! I haven't been doing nearly enough exercise lately... I have a Hen do which I have a gorgeous LBD to wear to and our friend's wedding the weekend after to go to at the end of April and I still haven't lost my Christmas weight. I really need a kick up the backside so will be going to Slimming World tomorrow evening.. (Say's me that's just bought not one but TWO creme eggs from the corer shop!!)

Rose having a good feel of the plant pots... or maybe just pointing out the dead plants that really need to be removed at some point!

I used the random generator website to find the winner of my giveaway but I'm a bit of a techno-phobe and couldn't figure out how to show you the page. 

But after counting through the comments on my giveaway post, the lucky winner was....

 Heather at Pink Milk!!

I'll be sending you a message in a second Heather to let you know that you've won! :-)

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Granny square blocks & some Etsy bits.

The other night when I was browsing through my Twitter on my phone I came across a link to this tutorial, it's been a while since I've come across a tutorial and just though 'I Have to make this!' but the blocks are so pretty and apparently quite simple, so I thought why not!? I might as well give it a shot!

The next evening I began cutting my 2.5inch square's... I'm rubbish at using a rotary cutter and it took me a longgg time and I managed to slice into the side of my wrist which also slowed down the process! *Ouch!*

I really liked the look of the green and red together, as they could be for either a girl or boy but now I'm looking at the photo's, they look far too Christmassy! This was not the look I was going for.. but I put So much effort into making them that I'm going to finish what I started. My plan is to make a baby quilt for my Etsy shop, even though no one might want to buy it until December!!

I've sewn two sets of fabric coasters also for my Etsy shop, hopefully I'll get them in the shop this evening if all goes well. I'm feeling all motivated now that I have 1 item actually for sale!

We've had a busy day so far today, we've been to the NCT nearly new sale and got a big load of bargains for Rose. She's over the moon with her new toys, she grows bored of toys so quickly but if we bought all of her toy's brand new it would cost a fortune! Why are toy's So expensive!? 

We've got quite a few new pieces of clothing for her as well. I found a gorgeous rose print Cath Kids dress age 2-3yrs and it was only £4! It's a few months before she can wear it but it's definitely a bargain!

*Just a reminder that my Giveaway finishes tomorrow evening at 8pm, so if you haven't already entered follow this link and have your chance at winning some goodies! :-)*

Right, off to carry on with my knitting. I've knitted the main body of one tea cosy, now onto the next one!

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100th post Giveaway!! Okay... maybe it is a little late...

I'm having a giveaway to celebrate having reached my 100th post... I was a  bit un-organised and life kind of got in the way and now it's a few posts on but still a reason to celebrate! :-)

I've been gradually collecting a couple of things over the last few weeks and I've also made a couple of items too to add to the prize.

Included in the giveaway prize is:

* A pack of mini Cath Kidston notecards.

* A pack of 6 Cath Kidston fabric covered buttons.

* A handmade crochet flower brooch.

* A Paperchase notepad.

* A very sweet pair of painted strawberry salt and pepper pots.

* A handmade pencil case. I say pencil case... but you could use it for anything like pens, crochet hooks, make up, or any other crafty bits and bobs...

*Also, the current Cath Kidston magazine.

(The pink pot of Narcissus bulbs aren't included though!)

To enter the giveaway you must:

* Be a follower of my blog.

* For one entry, leave a comment on this post.

* For a second entry, mention this giveaway somewhere or blog about it on your own blog. Please leave a seperate comment letting me know that you have done this though.

* Anyone is welcome to enter, I don't mind posting it anywhere. :-)

* Please make sure you are not a no-reply blogger or leave me your email address so that I can definitely get hold of you if you win!

* The giveaway will end on Sunday the 26th of February at 8pm (GMT - UK timezone).

Good luck!

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2011 Photo memories and a lot of chatter!

I know everyone's probably bored with seeing all of these 2011 photo mosaics by now but I wanted to put one together as it was an excuse to look back on the huge amount of photo's taken this year. I only started blogging in March so I've only included photo's from then onwards. I've used most of them here on my blog but there are a few extras that I added in... just because I liked them.

March

I crocheted a cushion cover for my mum's birthday, it was my second cushion cover and I was really happy with it.

We went on a little holiday to the Isle of Wight and stayed in a lovely little cottage, we were really lucky as there was a heat wave and we ended up relaxing on the beach!

Ray and I went on plenty of walks with Rose when she was tiny enough to be snuggled in the Wilkinet carrier.

April 

I completed Rose's ripple blanket, it still my favourite of her baby blankets and I got sooo many compliments on it. I still have loads of the Stylecraft left from making both her blankets, probably enough for another one!?

I began my Japanese flower scarf in King Cole yarn.

Rose and I enjoyed many days in the park enjoying the sunshine, the park behind the Cathedral here is so so lovely and peaceful.

I completely my granny bunting for our kitchen and it's still hanging up in there now. :-)

May

I began and completed Rose's knitted bolero, stupidly I knitted it really really tiny though so she only got to wear it for a day! (Lesson learned here...)

Rose came with us to her first wedding, it was one of Ray's colleagues that was getting married.

Plenty more walks were had in West Sussex And Dorset.

Fruit and vegetables that I was attempting to grow in my little garden actually Grew!

June

I crocheted a little purse for my Nan's birthday, she's now gone and sewn it onto the Outside of her handbag which looks shall we say... interesting!

My Nan and I drove half way to Cornwall to meet my Mum and spend the day with her. We had a picnic and it was lovely to let Mum spend some time with Rose.

I finished my Japanese flower scarf. I haven't actually worn it yet... it's just not that warm!

July

I finished Rose's baby shrug, I love it but it's still too big for her to wear. I think it'll fit her about half way through this year...

Ray and I visited some gorgeous gardens, before starting this blog I never really took in how stunning some plants can be. Now I really enjoy taking photo's of flowers as I can look back on their beauty anytime I want. Just another positive about blogging...

August

I crocheted a baby blanket for Rose using the granny square pattern from Attic24. I remembered exactly when I started it, it was about 4am in the morning and I was awake downstairs with a poorly Rose. I started crocheting granny squares to keep me sane!

I sewed an oven cloth for my best friends birthday, I also made a few other things to go along with it.

I borrowed my cousins SLR camera for a day and had so much fun taking photo's of the views from my Nan's garden and the flowers in it.

September

We went on holiday to Spain, Rose's first holiday abroad. This photo was taken on our one and Only trip to the beach... she got sand everywhere! (I was finding sand in her chubby creases for day's after!) Rose was terrified of the waves and didn't understand that your not supposed to eat sand, just a bit too young... The rest of the holiday was spent relaxing by the quiet pool by the villa.

I finished my first mini quilt for my auntie's birthday present, I wasn't sure about it as it was my first attempt but she said she loved it and has it hanging on her kitchen door.

October

I baked and decorated my first 'proper' birthday cake. It was for Ray's 27th birthday, it took me forever and I wasn't completely happy with the result but it's the love that went into making it that really matters! haha. Ray was chuffed with it anyway. :-)

I did a bit of a chair make-over, it's a little scratched on the top where Rose pulled it over but it still looks much better than it did before!

I completed a couple of knitting projects, Rose's cropped cardigan and my hand warmers. She's still too little to be able to wear the cardigan and I decided to save the hand warmers and gave them to my Mum for Christmas as I knew she really liked them.

November

We tested out the baby rucksack for the first time, Rose seemed comfortable enough and even fell asleep... her face did get a little squished though.

I began knitting some more hand warmers from the yarn I had bought with a birthday voucher, I've now finished them and wear them everyday.

I hand quilted a hot water bottle cover to go in the Advent swap package I was sending off to Jo at Cupcake Jojo, I hope she liked it.

I showed you a couple of my other WIP's, Rose's quilt that I kind of plan to finish by her 1st birthday.. Eeekk! Also, another baby blanket... I'm not entirely sure if I like it that much anymore though and can't decide whether or not it's worth carrying on with.

December

I decorated my very first Christmas cake! (I had baked it a couple of months before hand...)

I was busy making and finishing off Christmas presents for people, including Mum's mug hug (I Had made a few other things for Mum as well), Nan's dresden plate cushion and Lettie's hexagon blanket.

I finished my cabled headband with the most gorgeous wool, Lettie bought me another skein of it for Christmas so I will have to knit something to match.

Well, that's it! Sorry if I completely bored you all with my knattering... but I hope you've enjoyed a round up of some of the photo's that have been here on my blog since March.

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PS- Before I go, I just have to tell you.

I am Incredibly excited at the moment... I am waiting for the anticipated arrival of my new camera!! Here it is if you'd like to take a peek.

It should be arriving anytime from tomorrow onwards... Every time I start thinking about the things and events I'll be able to take photo's of, I just want to jump up and down on the spot with a huge grin on my face. I know this probably sounds really over the top but to be honest I'm just really looking forward to taking some lovely shots of Rose, I was so disappointed with my last camera as it just wasn't quick enough and she was constantly blurry!

It's nearly that time of year again!

The cake is done!

I may have a million other things to do on my list, but at least the cake can be ticked off!

It's the first Christmas cake I've ever made and I'm pretty chuffed with it. :-) The icing looks a lot smoother than on Ray's birthday cake which I'm really happy about, although it's Definitely not perfect!

I came across a picture of a cake with holly leaves on in the Cath Kidston magazine and decided to use that for inspiration. I Love the cake bunting and bought it from Jooles at Sew Sweet Violet a while ago, I'm so glad to be finally able to use it.

I had Sarah from Shabby chic Sarah around for lunch on Monday, it was a really lovely day and so great to see her again. The weather was really awful so we stayed indoors chatting with cups of tea, whilst she helped me thread in about a thousand ends on the hexagon blanket for my auntie's Christmas present. Thank you Sarah!

I've actually finished the blanket now but if I hadn't had help with those ends I think I'd be stressing out right now trying to get it all done!!

We agreed to make one another a Christmas gift each and Sarah made me this pretty apron out of vintage fabrics, isn't it it gorgeous!? Perfect for those baking day's..!

She also made a gift for Rose which was a really lovely thought, isn't 'Ellie' (as I seemed to have named her) the sweetest elephant you ever saw?! I Love the dungarees and Rose has been fascinated with her since she got her on Monday... her nose is getting a good old chewing anyway!

Thank you so so much xXx

I probably won't get a chance to blog again before we go to Dorset on Friday, so if I don't get a chance to say it nearer the time... 'Merry Christmas everybody!'

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(PS- I have been receiving some really lovely gifts in my Advent swap from Jo, I especially enjoyed all of the chocolate goodies today! I'm afraid I've just been far too disorganised to take photo's of the gifts to put up here, I'm ever so grateful for the gifts though. Thanks Jo xxx)

Getting that festive feeling!!

I'm beginning to feel really festive now... as I walk around town everyone is busy getting their Christmas shopping done which makes me think that I need to get myself organised and write a list of what I'm doing for each person. I bought some wrapping paper which is about as far as I've got with the whole thing!

I want to get all of the decorations up but Ray is putting off decorating the big tree for a while as he thinks Rose will pull it down. To be honest... he's probably right. She did pull the clothes airer onto herself a couple of hours ago... 

We're trying to come up with somewhere to put it that we can limit the access she has to it... anyone have any ideas as to how to keep a baby away from the tree?!

Even though I can't have the proper Christmas tree up yet, I've started decorating a few other areas of the house. How gorgeous are these colourful baubles from Paperchase!?

 I love them! :-)

I had a lovely surprise when I got back from playgroup with Rose this afternoon, my friend had sent me some belated-birthday gifts. She knows just How much I love Cath Kidston! It means so much that she bought me such lovely things because I know how short of money she is.

Mum sent Rose her own Advent calendar, she can't possibly eat all that chocolate so I Maayy have to help her out a little... what a shame! haha

My advent swap goodies arrived from Cupcake jojo, I'm so glad I entered into this swap. There were a few times though when I felt a little stressed by the pressure of having a deadline to finish all of my gifts! But now that I've seen all of the presents from Jo, I'm so excited knowing that I have a present to open up every day until Christmas..! :-)

Jo even included a present for Rose to open at Christmas! So, so kind of her because she didn't need to do and it is such a lovely thought. Thank you Jo xxx

Okay, I'm off to carry on with my current crochet project. I WILL get at least one present finished!

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Recent going's on.

This post is just about some of what we've been getting up to lately...

I've been really lucky lately and have seen a lot of my family, first my Mum came to stay for a few nights, then my auntie came up for the day, Rose and I went to London for a day to visit my Cousin Josie and then on Saturday my Nan came to stay for a night. I'm also going back to Dorset for a few days next week as it's my birthday.. I can't wait.

Even though I used to live in London, I was a little worried about going up with Rose as I wasn't sure how easy it would be to get around with the buggy. But it was actually easy as I had Jose to help me with Rose on the underground escalators and as it was a Sunday, it was relatively quiet. The only problem with going up on a Sunday it that a lot of places aren't open. I was hoping to go here, but annoyingly it's not open on a Sunday. Next time, even though it's busier we'll have to go on a week day..

We've been spending a lot of time at the park lately, Rose is old enough now to really enjoy the swings. As soon as I start pushing her, a big smile appears on her face!

I've learnt how to sew a zip into something, it's not actually as hard as I thought it would be. It's only the Cath Kidston purse that comes with her SEW book, but it's just been lying on my craft shelf for ages because I was too scared to attempt to sew in the zip! Now I can sew zips, it opens up a lot of other thing's I'll be able to make. :-)

I love the little bit of cross-stitch that I did for the front of the purse. I really enjoy cross-stitch but it just takes sooo long! I'm just far too impatient to keep working on the same thing for such a long time...

Yesterday Rose and I went for lunch at Sarah's, I had Such a lovely time and it felt like we had known each other for years! That's the lovely thing about making friends through blogging, you get to know things about each another, so then when you do meet you know all the things that you have in common.

Okay, well Rose is still napping so I'm going to grab some lunch before we head out to go swimming this afternoon. I'm actually really looking forward to it, I haven't been swimming with her since we were on holiday but I plan to start taking her much more often.

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My new favourite piece of furniture.

Here are some photo's to show you my make-over of my computer chair that we got for free from the tip last year, I never really realised how much I didn't like the chair until I saw a gorgeous chair on Pinterest that instantly fell in love with!

So the chair started out looking like this... to some people, I'm sure it's not a bad chair. But it was just a bit too old-fashioned  and grown-up looking for my liking...!

So I started choosing and cutting out squares of fabric from my stash. (It's a very small fabric stash but I have a few more bits and bobs after I received a lovely package in the post from Sarah and my mum and auntie bought me a couple things when they came to visit... I'm spoiled by them!)

I sewed together the patchwork squares, but I don't have a rotary cutter yet so I was having to do it as best as I could with scissors. So the squares don't completely line up properly but I don't mind as it's the first time I've tried patchwork like that on the machine and I think it adds to the whole shabby chic kind of look.

I had to buy myself a staple gun for this project and I had a Lot of fun with it..!

I don't think Ray was especially happy that our dining room table was taken over for a few day's... it was all TV dinners around here! First of all I tried painting in out the back in the Uutility room, but it's tiny in there and it was really difficult to turn around the chair to paint it as the worktop is really narrow. Also, when you add in the little person that keeps trying to stand up hanging onto your legs... it was a little cramped to say the least. So i moved out onto the table which was sooo much simpler as I could  really get into all the angles to paint it and Rose was much happier playing in the front room.

The brushes that I painted it with weren't very expensive at all though and you could really tell. I was trying to keep the costs down and didn't realise how important it is to have a really good brush. The paint went a bit drippy in places which is reallllyy annoying, but it's not too noticeable and as it's the first piece of furniture that I've ever painted, I'm quite happy with it..! 

The paint is a Duck-egg blue gloss and I didn't realise as first, but the colour goes perfectly with the different fabrics... Well I think so anyway! According to Ray, it's looks like it should be in a dolls house. Haha... he doesn't mind it, but he's definitely more of a 'plain wood furniture' kind of guy! Ahhh well.. he'll have to get used to it as I'm already thinking of what else I can paint! :-)

Sooo..... what do you think? Not bad for a first attempt anyway!

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